were rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were rejected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not accepted or approved in the past. Example: "The proposals submitted by the team were rejected due to budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The offers were rejected.

The New York Times - Sports

Both offers were rejected.

The New York Times - Arts

Another 145 were rejected.

The New York Times

Captions were rejected.

The New York Times

They were rejected.

The Washington Post

Three efforts were rejected.

The New York Times

Other charges were rejected.

The New York Times

They all were rejected.

The Washington Post

These alternatives were rejected.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those applications were rejected.

The Guardian

The requests were rejected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were rejected" when you want to clearly state that something was not accepted. Ensure the subject of the sentence clearly indicates what was rejected, and the context provides understanding of why. For example: "The proposed changes were rejected due to budget constraints."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "were rejected" when active voice would be more direct and engaging. Instead of "The application were rejected by the committee", consider "The committee rejected the application" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were rejected" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the action of being rejected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were rejected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase, effectively conveying the non-acceptance of a subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal settings. While highly versatile, consider active voice alternatives for a more direct writing style. Remember to use the correct verb conjugation ("was" vs. "were") based on the subject's singularity or plurality. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources, mastering the use of "were rejected" enhances clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were turned down

Replaces "rejected" with a common synonym, emphasizing the act of declining.

were declined

A more formal alternative to "turned down", suggesting a polite refusal.

were refused

A direct synonym, implying a firm denial.

were not accepted

Emphasizes the lack of acceptance, rather than the act of rejection.

did not pass

Focuses on the failure to meet a required standard or approval.

failed to gain approval

Highlights the unsuccessful attempt to get something approved.

met with disapproval

Shifts the focus to the negative reaction the subject received.

were dismissed

Suggests the subject was considered unimportant or not worthy of attention.

were vetoed

Implies a powerful authority blocked the subject.

were not sanctioned

Indicates a lack of official permission or authorization.

FAQs

How do I use "were rejected" in a sentence?

Use "were rejected" to indicate that something was not accepted or approved. For example: "The initial proposals "were rejected" due to feasibility concerns."

What can I say instead of "were rejected"?

You can use alternatives such as "were declined", "were refused", or "were turned down" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were rejected" or "was rejected"?

"Were rejected" is used for plural subjects, while "was rejected" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The applications were rejected" versus "The application was rejected".

What's the difference between "were rejected" and "were dismissed"?

"Were rejected" implies a formal refusal or non-acceptance, while "were dismissed" suggests something was considered unimportant or not worthy of consideration.